CES 2009: Moneual Labs

[ad#content_main]Moneual Labs has been coming on strong over the past year releasing cases and full systems. They really have some unique case designs. This year at CES following suit with many companies Moneual was showing many all-in-one solutions and a few cases. One of Moneual’s HTPC’s actually won a CES innovations award so we will have to check that out too!

HTPC Cases

Moneual has updated their Moncaso HTPC line with the Moncaso 312 and Moncaso 811. Starting with the 312, it is a super low profile HTPC case. It comes in both black and silver versions. The only difference between the 2 is the glow on the volume knob. On the silver version it is blue and on the black version it is orange. The case is made of 100% aluminum inside and out.

The Moncaso 811 looks just like any other HTPC case but it is really unlike any other HTPC case that we have seen. The front part of the case slides up to reveal a card reader, front panel connections, and two hot swappable HDD racks. I’ve never seen swappable HDD racks on the front of a HTPC case; it reminds me of a rackmount case. This system is also all aluminum and will fit a standard ATX motherboard.

The Moncaso 812 is much like the 811, except that it does not have the slide up front panel. It its place you will find the illuminated power button and large volume knob. Below that is a hidden card reader and all of your front panel connections. The 812 come in both silver and black and of course is all aluminum.

All-in-One

Like we have said in many of our CES articles the all-in-one PC was the themes of this year’s CES. Moneual also had an all-in-one system called the Minuet 190. This system is based on the Intel Atom platform featuring an Atom 230 processor, 160GB hard drive and a 19-inch display. I’m not sure but it does not look like this model has an optical drive.

Systems

One of the coolest systems on display at the Moneual booth was the 311 system. This system is very small and features heat-sensor Led buttons to control the playback of your media. Also on the front is a LED display that will show Windows media information. This is a very powerful system too, based on an Intel G45 chipset mini ITX motherboard, it has quad-core CPU, 500GB hard drive, 5.1 channel HD audio, and a slot-loading Blu-ray drive. This small system will look awesome in your home theater!

Some people just do not like seeing an HTPC case on their home theater or they don’t have room for one. Moneual has the solution to that with their 401 system. This upright system is meant to be pushed up against the back of your LCD TV with the only visible parts being the two extended base panels that contain a slot-loading Blu-ray drive and card reader as well as the power button. This system can hold up to 4 2.5-inch hard drives so you will have more than enough space for all of your media. This system actually won a CES Innovations award for design and engineering.

Moneual also has a line of mini-PC systems; these are being called the NETTOP series. The Minew A10 is ideal for PC users of all ages with its many different colors and sleek design. It is based on the Intel Atom processor so it will not be that expensive. It will be preloaded with Windows XP, so it is the perfect system for a high school student.

Moneual also has a silent version of this system called the Minew S10. It has no fans, so it is completely silent.